Ranma ½

If you want to see manga at its funniest, pick up Ranma ½. Rumiko Takahashi’s comedy about a martial artist who transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water is pure, joyful entertainment.

Why Start Here

Ranma ½ represents a whole side of manga that thrillers and action epics don’t show you: the slapstick romantic comedy. Takahashi is one of the best-selling manga creators in history, and this series is where her comedic genius hits its peak. The premise generates an endless supply of absurd situations, and Takahashi’s timing is impeccable. For newcomers who think manga is all fighting and brooding, this is the corrective.

It also shaped an entire generation of manga and anime. You can trace the DNA of countless romantic comedies back to what Takahashi established here.

What to Expect

Episodic chaos. New characters, new curses, and new martial arts challenges arrive in a constant stream. It’s a hang-out manga: the joy comes from spending time with the cast rather than following a tight plot. At 38 volumes, it’s long, but you can pick up any stretch and have a great time.